Motion picture film composition method

Abstract

A motion picture film composition method can be provided in which when a first motion picture film on which a first picture is imaged and a second motion picture on which a second picture is imaged are combined, the first motion picture film is converted into a video signal and processed in accordance with predetermined video signal processing to form an intermediate film and a mask film necessary for film composition, and a latent image obtained by superposing the intermediate film and the mask film and another latent image obtained by superposing the second picture film and the mask film are imaged for double exposure to combine the first motion picture film and the second motion picture film with high accuracy so that a combined motion picture film in which the second picture is superposed on the first picture can be made easily.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a motion picture film composition method, and is suitably applied to, for example, composition of a motion picture film on which a foreground picture is imaged and another motion picture film on which a background picture is imaged.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, for filmmaking, a film composition method using an optical technique is used when a motion picture film on which a foreground picture of, for example, a piece of furniture is imaged separately (hereinafter referred to as "foreground film") is superimposed on another motion picture film on which a background picture of, for example, a landscape is imaged (hereinafter referred to as "background film").

In this method, a foreground film is first used to make a motion picture film consisting of a pattern covering the area other than the foreground (hereinafter referred to as "female mask film") by optical means.

Then this female mask film is optically reversed to make a motion picture film having a mask pattern covering the portion in a background film corresponding to the foreground of the foreground film (hereinafter referred to as "male mask film").

A latent image of the foreground alone obtained by superposing the foreground film and the female mask film and a latent image of the background including no part of the foreground obtained by superposing the background film and the male mask film are superimposed on a raw film.

The foreground film and the background film are optically combined in this manner to make a motion picture film in which the foreground picture is superposed on the background picture.

The film composition method using this optical technique requires a complicated process for making various mask films and intermediate films and optically combining these films.

It is difficult to preestimate the final result during intermediate processing for making mask films and intermediate films and, in fact, a highly expert technique is required to obtain a predicted result in a short time.

A film composition method is therefore used in which conventional motion picture films are converted, by telecinematography, into video signals in accordance with high-definition television (HDTV) signals to effect electrical image composition on the video signals, and composite video signals thereby obtained are recorded on a film by an electron beam picture recording apparatus to combine foreground and background films, thereby making a combined motion picture film in which a foreground picture is superimposed on a background picture.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a background film F_BK on which a background picture PIC_BK is imaged is converted into a video signal through a telecinematographic unit 1A, thereby preparing a video tape T_BK on which a background video signal VD_BK is recorded.

Also, a foreground film F_FR in which a foreground picture PIC_FR is imaged on a so-called blue back B_BK is converted into a video signal through a telecinematographic unit 1B, thereby preparing a video tape T_FR on which a foreground video signal VD_FR is recorded.

Video tapes T_BK and T_FR obtained in this manner are simultaneously played back by a video tape recorder (VTR), and a background video signal VD_BK and a foreground video signal VD_FR thereby obtained are input to a video signal composition unit 2 having a line-chromakey construction.

Video signal composition unit 2 is constituted by a mask signal generator 3 and a switching circuit 4. Background video signal VD_BK and foreground video signal VD_FR are supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of switching circuit 4.

Foreground video signal VD_FR is also input to mask signal generator 3. Mask signal generator 3 then generates a male mask signal S_MMSK for masking the area of foreground film F_FR other than blue back B_BK and supplies this signal to switching circuit 4 as a signal for changeover control of switching circuit 4.

Switching circuit 4 controls selection of the first or second input terminals a and b during one-line period of background video signal VD_BK and foreground video signal VD_FR in accordance with male mask signal S_MMSK, and a composite video signal VD_WA thereby obtained through an output terminal c is recorded by a VTR to make a video tape T_WA.

Video tape T_WA is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by an electron beam picture recorder 5, and composite video signal VD_WA is recorded on a raw film by electron beam picture recording.

Thus, background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK are combined to make a combined motion picture film F_WA in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

In a case where a combined motion picture film is made by using the video signal composition processing technique as described above, it is necessary to convert background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK into video signals VD_FR and VD_BK, respectively.

There is therefore the problem of a deterioration of the image quality of the combined motion picture film F_WA finally obtained relative to the qualities of the original motion picture films F_FR and F_BK due to limitation of the VTR band and other causes.

To solve this problem, a motion picture film composition method may be used in which only foreground film F_BK obtained by imaging foreground picture PIC_FR is converted into foreground video signal VD_FR and the converted signal undergoes predetermined video signal processing, whereby advantages of film composition in terms of resolution and color development are maintained.

In this method, a mask signal is generated by a video signal composition technique using foreground video signal VD_FR and is recorded on a film with an electron beam video recorder to facilitate mask film preparation most laborious and delicate in the film composition process.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10 in which components corresponding to those of FIG. 9 are indicated by the same reference symbols, foreground film F_FR is converted into a video signal by telecinematographic unit 1B, and foreground video signal VD_FR thereby obtained is recorded by a VTR to make video tape T_FR.

This video tape T_FR is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by a first electron beam picture recorder 5A while being processed by reverse color composition, so that foreground video signal VD_FR is recorded on a film by electron beam picture recording, thereby recording a second foreground film F_FR1 consisting of a positive image corresponding to foreground film F_FR.

Independently of this recording, video tape T_FR is played back by a VTR and foreground video signal VD_FR thereby obtained is input to mask signal generator 3 of video signal composition unit 2.

Mask signal generator 3 thereby generates male mask signal S_MMSK masking the area of foreground film F_FR other than blue back B_BK, and this signal is recorded by a VTR to make a video tape T_MMSK on which a male mask video signal VD_MMSK is recorded.

Video tape T_MMSK is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by a second electron beam picture recorder 5B while being processed by black-and-white composition, so that male mask video signal VD_MMSK is recorded on a film by electron beam picture recording, thereby recording a male mask film F_MMSK.

A raw back-and-white film is exposed while superposing male mask film F_MMSK on the raw film and is developed to form a female mask film F_FMSK reversed from male mask film F_MMSK.

Thereafter, according to this film composition method, an optical printer constituted by a main projector and a film camera is used in such a manner that foreground film F_FR1 and female mask film F_FMSK are set on the main projector by being superposed in a double superposition magazine called bi-pack, and a negative film in the film camera is exposed to the light image of these films.

Then, after the negative film in the film camera has been rewound, background film F_BK and male mask film F_MMSK are set on the main projector by a bi-pack, and the negative film in the film camera is exposed again to the light image of these films.

For this step, a so-called areal printer having two beam splitters may be used instead of the optical printer to perform exposure only one time for the same effect as the above operations.

In either case, a first latent image I_L1 obtained by superposing foreground film F_FR1 and female mask film F_FMSK as described above and a second latent image I_L2 obtained by superposing background film F_BK and male mask film F_MMSK are combined and developed to combine background film F_BK and foreground film F_FR, thereby making a combined motion picture film F_WA1 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

In the case of combined motion picture film F_WA1 thus obtained, in contrast with combined motion picture film F_WA obtained by video signal composition processing of video signals VD_BK and VD_FR of background films F_BK and foreground film F_FR as described above, background film F_BK can be converted into a final combined picture without any restriction due to limitation of the VTR band, and it is possible to make superposed motion picture film F_WA1 correspondingly improved in image quality, although a labor for making mask films F_MMSK and F_FMSK is required.

In the case of this motion picture film composition method, however, the timing of making second foreground film F_FR1 by electron beam picture recording and the timing of making male mask film F_MMSK actually differs from each other, and the characteristics of the electron beam picture recorders therefore vary slightly, resulting in occurrence of an error in determining the picture position or size in combined motion picture film F_WA1 and, hence, failure to achieve a degree of film composition accuracy required for strict film superposition.

The characteristics of the electron beam picture recorders vary according to the increase in the temperature of the deflection yoke, drift of the deflection drive circuit, the difference between the vacuums of electron beam electrodes or other factors.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a motion picture film composition method based on effecting video signal processing of a first motion picture film on which a first picture is imaged to make a film composition processing film, whereby the first motion picture film and a second motion picture film on which a second picture is imaged can be combined with high accuracy.

To achieve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a method in which, when first motion picture film F_FR on which a first picture PIC_FR is imaged and a second motion picture film F_BK on which a second picture PIC_BK is imaged are combined, the first motion picture film F_FR is converted into a video signal VD_FR, predetermined video signal processing is performed with respect to the video signal VD_FR to make an intermediate film F_FR10 and mask films F_MMSK1, F_FMSK1, F_SMMSK1, and F_SFMSK1, a first latent image I_L10 obtained by superposing the second motion picture film F_BK and the mask films F_MMSK1 and F_SMMSK1 is imaged to expose a predetermined raw film, a second latent image I_L11 obtained by superposing the intermediate film F_FR10 and the mask films F_FMSK1 and F_SFMSK1 is imaged to expose the same raw film, and the raw film is thereafter developed.

The first motion picture film F_FR is converted into the video signal VD_FR and is processed in accordance with predetermined video signal processing to make the intermediate film F_FR10 and the mask films F_MMSK1, F_FMSK1, F_SMMSK1, and F_SFMSK1, and the latent image I_L10 obtained by superposing the second motion picture film F_BK and the mask films F_MMSK1 and the latent image I_L11 obtained by superposing the intermediate film F_FR10 and the mask films F_FMSK1 and F_SFMSK1 are imaged for double exposure, followed by development. The first motion picture film F_FR and the second motion picture film F_BK is thereby combined with high accuracy so that a combined motion picture film F_WA10 in which the second picture PIC_BK is superposed on the first picture PIC_FR can be formed easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams for explanation of the conventional motion picture composition method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1 in which components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 10 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 10. A video tape T_FR on which a foreground video signal VD_FR is recorded is played back by a first reproducing VTR 11A, and a foreground video signal VD_FR thereby obtained is supplied to an input terminal a of a switch circuit 12 and supplied to a VTR 13 for edition picture recording through an output terminal c of the switch 12.

Similarly, a video tape T_MMSK on which a male mask signal S_MMSK is recorded is played back by a second reproducing VTR 11B, and a foreground video signal VD_MMSK thereby obtained is supplied to an input terminal b of the switch circuit 12 and supplied to the edition picture recording VTR 13 through the output terminal c.

Frame pulses P_FRMO each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 13 to a VTR control circuit 14. The VTR control circuit 14 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 11A and 11B VTR control signals CNT_V1 and CNT_V2 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every frame.

The VTR control circuit 14 also sends to the switch circuit 12 a switch changeover signal CNT_SWO for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 11A or 11B with respect to each frame during reproduction, thereby executing so-called AB roll editing of video signals output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 11A and 11B. A video tape T_FRMM is thereby made on which is recorded a composition video signal such that foreground video signal VD_FR and male mask video signal VD_MMSK are alternatively repeated every frame.

Video tape T_FRMM is played back by a low-speed reproduction VTR 15 for electron beam picture recording. Of video signals VD_R, VD_G and VD_B for three colors thereby obtained, a red video signal VD_R is delayed by a first delayed circuit 16A to a predetermined extent and is supplied to a red input terminal R of an electron beam picture recording unit 17.

Also, a green video signal VD_G is supplied to an input terminal a of a first switch circuit 18A. In first switch circuit 18A, a first or second output terminal b or c is selected according to control using a switch control signal CNT_SW1. The green video signal VD_G is thereby input to a second delay circuit 16B or an inverting amplifier circuit 19, and each of output signals therefrom is supplied to a green input terminal G of the electron beam picture recording unit 17 through an output terminal c of a second switch circuit 20A which operates by being linked to the first switch circuit 18A to select a first or second input terminal a or b.

Further, a blue video signal VD_B is supplied to an input terminal a of a third switch circuit 18B. In third switch circuit 18B, a first or second output terminal b or c is selected according to control using switch control signal CNT_SW1. The blue video signal VD_B is thereby input to a third delay circuit 16C or a soft edge formation circuit 21, and each of output signals therefrom is supplied to a blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17 through an output terminal c of a fourth switch circuit 20B which operates by being linked to the third switch circuit 18B to select a first or second input terminal a or b.

Frame pulses P_FRM1 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of a low-speed reproduced video signal are supplied from the low-speed reproduction VTR 15 to a switch signal generation circuit 22.

The switch signal generation circuit 22 thereby outputs switch control signal CNT_SW1 having a value changed every third frame. The first output terminals b of the first and third switch circuits 18A and 18B and the first input terminals a of the second and fourth switch circuits 20A and 20B are thereby selected during the period of time for three frames in which three-color video signals VD_R, VD_G and VD_B corresponding to foreground video signal VD_FR in composite video signal VD_FRMM are output. Conversely, during the period of time for three frames in which three-color video signals VD_R, VD_G and VD_B corresponding to male mask video signal VD_MMSK are output, the second output terminals c of the first and third switch circuits 18A and 18B and the second input terminals b of the second and fourth switch circuits 20A and 20B are thereby selected.

The delay circuits 16A to 16C have a delay time equal to the period of time for passage of video signals VD_G and VD_B through the inverting amplifier 19 and the soft edge formation circuit 21, thereby adjusting the times at which three-color video signals VD_R, VD_G and VD_B are respectively supplied to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17.

Thus, three-color video signals VD_R, VD_G, and VD_B corresponding to foreground video signals VD_FR, male mask video signal VD_MMSK, female mask video signal VD_FMSK obtained by reversing male mask video signal VD_MMSK, and soft male mask video signal VD_SMMSK obtained by outline-softening male mask video signal VD_MMSK are supplied successively and alternately to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17.

The electron beam picture recording unit 17 then records video signals VD_R, VD_G, VD_B, and VD_MMSK, VD_FMSK and VD_SMMSK supplied to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B on a black and white film, thereby forming a film F₁0 for composition operation.

In practice, as shown in FIG. 2, black and white foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, F_FRB, female mask film F_FMSK0, male mask film F_MMSK and soft female mask film F_SFMSK are successively recorded on composition operation film F₁0 every six frames.

In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and White foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, F_FRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F₁0 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F_FR10 having a positive image on a blue back.

Similarly, with respect to female mask film F_FMSK0, male mask film F_MMSK0 and soft female mask film F_SFMSK of composition operation film F₁0, the above-mentioned optical printer is operated in a six-frame skip mode to effect reversal printing of each film on a black and white film, thereby forming a male mask film F_MMSK1, a female mask film F_FMSK1 and a soft male mask film F_SMMSK1.

Further, this soft male mask film FS_MMSK1 is printed on a black and white film by contact printing to be black-and-white reversed, thereby forming a soft female mask film F_SFMSK1.

Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F_BK is set on a main projector, male mask film F_MMSK1 and soft male mask film F_SMMSK1 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I_L10.

Thereafter, foreground film F_FR10 is set on the main projector, female mask film F_FMSK1 and soft female mask film F_SFMSK1 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on the areal projector, and these films are imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I_L11 and thereafter rewound.

A latent image I_L11 is thereby formed over the latent image I_L10 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F_BK and foreground film F_FR, thereby making a combined motion picture film F_WA10 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

In the thus-obtained combined motion picture film FW_A10, in contrast with combined motion picture film F_WA described above with reference to FIG. 9, background film F_FR can be converted into the final combined image without any restriction to VTR band limitation, and combined motion picture film F_WA10 correspondingly improved in image quality can be made, although a certain amount of labor is required to make mask films F_MMSK1 and F_FMSK1 and soft mask films F_SMMSK1 and F_SFMSK1.

In the combined motion picture film F_WA10, in contrast with combined motion picture film F_WA1 described above with reference to FIG. 10, black and white foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, and F_FRB from which foreground film F_FR10 is formed, female mask film F_FMSKO, male mask film F_MMSK0 and soft female mask film F_SFMSK from which male mask film F_MMSK1, female mask film F_FMSK1 and soft male mask film F_SMMSK1 are formed can be recorded simultaneously on composition operation film F₁0 by electron beam recording.

It is thereby possible to prevent the influence of changes in characteristics due to changes in electron beam recording unit 17 at the time of recording and, hence, to obtain combined motion picture film F_WA10 free from errors in image position and image size.

Further, in the case of combined motion picture film F_WA10, male mask video signal VD_MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD_FR is video-signal-processed to form soft female mask video signal VD_SFMSK which is recorded by electron beam recording to obtain soft mask films F_SMMSK1 and F_SFMSK1, thus making it easy to make a soft mask film which is very difficult to realize by optical means.

Since film composition processing is effected by using this film, if an unnatural portion exists at the boundary between background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR, it can be removed effectively and a combined picture further improved in terms of naturalness can be obtained.

In accordance with the above-described method, foreground film F_FR is processed telecinematographically to be converted into foreground video signal VD_FR, this foreground video signal VD_FR and male mask video signal obtained from this are processed in accordance with predetermined video processing so that black and white foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, and F_FRB from which foreground film F_FR10 for film composition operation is formed, female mask film F_FMSKO, male mask film F_MMSK0 and soft female mask film F_SFMSK from which male mask film F_MMSK1, female mask film F_FMSK1 and soft male mask film F_SMMSK1 are formed are recorded simultaneously by electron beam recording, and latent image I_L10 obtained by superposing background film F_FR, male mask film F_MMSK1 and soft male mask film F_SMMSK1 and latent image I_L11 obtained by superposing foreground film F_FR10, female mask film F_FMSK1 and soft female mask film F_SFMSK1 are imaged by double exposure. It is thereby possible to realize a motion picture film composition method which makes it possible to make combined motion picture film F_WA10 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK by combining background film F_FR and, foreground film F_BK with high accuracy while effectively eliminating unnaturalness.

(2) Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3 in which components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 30. A video tape T_FR on which a foreground video signal VD_FR is recorded is played back by a reproducing VTR 31, and a reproduction signal is input to a video signal processing circuit 32.

Video signal processing circuit 32 includes a chromakey and combines foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK formed by the chromakey with respect to each frame of foreground video signal VD_FR to generate a first composite video signal VD_MIX1.

A red component, a green component and a blue component of first composite video signal VD_MIX1 are respectively supplied to corresponding terminals of a first picture recording VTR 33A, i.e., a red input terminal R, a green input terminal G and a blue input terminal B to form a video tape T_MIX1 on which first composite video signal VD_MIX1 is recorded.

Video signal processing circuit 32 generates female mask video signal VD_FMSK and a low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD_LSFMSK obtained by reducing the contrast of female mask video signal VD_FMSK and edge-softening the same, and supplies these signals to a red input terminal R and a green input terminal G of a second picture recording VTR 33B, respectively.

A blue input terminal B of the second picture recording VTR 33B is always grounded to input black level. A video tape T_MIX2 is thereby formed on which is recorded a second composite video signal VD_MIX2 consisting of female mask video signal VD_FMSK, low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD_LSFMSK and a black level video signal.

Video tapes T_MIX1 and T_MIX2 thus obtained are respectively played back by reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B. First and second composite video signals VD_MIX1 and VD_MIX2 thereby obtained are respectively supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of a switch circuit 35 and input to an edition picture recording VTR 36 through an output terminal c of the switch circuit 35.

Frame pulses P_FRM2 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 36 to a VTR control circuit 37. The VTR control circuit 37 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B VTR control signals CNT_V1 and CNT_V2 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every three frames.

The VTR control circuit 37 also sends to the switch circuit 35 a switch changeover signal CNT_SW1O for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 34A or 34B every three frames during reproduction. The edition picture recording VTR 36 thereby executes so-called AB roll editing of video signals VD_MIX1 and VD_MIX2 output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B every three frames.

A video tape T_MIX10 is thereby made on which are recorded red, green and blue components of a composite video signal VD_MIX1 formed by combining foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK alternately every three frames, female mask video signal VD_FMSK, low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD_LSFMSK, and the black level video signal.

This video tape T_MIX10 is played back at a low speed by electron beam picture recording unit 38, and a composite video signal VD_MIX10 thereby obtained is recorded on a black and white film by electron beam recording, thereby forming a composition operation film F₂0.

In practice, as shown in FIG. 4, black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, AND F_MFRB corresponding to the red, green and blue components of first composite video signal VD_MIX1 formed by combining foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK made by the chromakey, a female mask film F_FMSK2, a low-contrast soft female mask film F_LSFMSK and a black film F_BLK corresponding to second composite video signal VD_MIX2 consisting of female mask video signal VD_FMSK2, low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD_LSFMSK and black video signal are successively recorded on composition operation film F₂0 every six frames.

In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, F_MFRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F20 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F_MFR having a positive image in a male mask.

Similarly, with respect to female mask film F_FMSK2 and low-contrast soft female mask film F_LSFMSK of composition operation film F₂0, the above-mentioned optical printer is operated in a six-frame skip mode to effect reversal printing of each film on a black and white film, thereby forming a male mask film F_MMSK2 and a low-contrast soft male mask film F_LSMMSK.

Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F_BK is set on a main projector, male mask film F_MMSK2 and low-contrast soft male mask film F_LSMMSK are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I_L20.

Thereafter, foreground film F_MFR is set on the main projector and is imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I_L20 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I_L21 is thereby formed over the latent image I_L20 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK, thereby making a combined motion picture film F_WA20 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

The thus-obtained combined motion picture film F_WA20 has generally the same image qualities as combined motion picture film F_WA10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, and F_MFR from which foreground film F_MFR10 for film composition operation is formed and female mask film F_FMSK2 and low-contrast soft female mask film F_LSMMSK from which male mask film F_MMSK2 and low-contrast soft male mask film F_LSMMSK are formed can be simultaneously recorded by electron beam recording. It is thereby possible to prevent the influence of changes in characteristics due to changes in electron beam recording unit 17 at the time of recording and, hence, to obtain combined motion picture film F_WA20 free from errors in image position and image size.

Further, in the case of combined motion picture film F_WA20, male mask video signal VD_MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD_FR is video-signal-processed to form low-contrast soft female mask film F_LSFMSK which is used for film composition processing. It is thereby possible to obtain combined motion picture film F_WA20 further improved in terms of naturalness by effectively removing unnatural portion existing at the boundary between background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR.

In accordance with the above-described method, foreground film F_BK is processed telecinematographically to be converted into a video signal, this foreground video signal VD_FR and mask video signal VD_MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD_FR are processed by predetermined video processing so that black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, and F_MFRB from which foreground film F_MFR for film composition operation is formed by composition on a female mask, and mask films F_FMSK and F_LSFMSK from which mask films F_MMSK3 and F_LSMMSK for film composition operation are formed are recorded simultaneously by electron beam recording, and latent image I_L20 obtained by superposing background film F_FR, mask films F_MMSK2 and F_LSMMSK and latent image I_L21 of foreground film F_MFR are imaged by double exposure. It is thereby possible to realize a motion picture film composition method which makes it possible to make combined motion picture film F_WA20 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK by combining background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK with high accuracy while effectively eliminating unnaturalness.

According to the above-described method, foreground film F_MFR combined on a female mask by video-signal-processing foreground video signal VD_FR, and the step of preparing female mask film F_FMSK1 for film composition operation can therefore be removed, in contrast with the first embodiment.

(3) Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 5 in which components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 40. This video signal processing apparatus is arranged for application to superposition of motion picture films F_BK and F_FR consisting of background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR such that occurrence of an unnatural portion at the boundary in the motion picture composition method in accordance with the first embodiment can be prevented.

That is, in this case, a video tape T_FRMM on which a combined video signal VD_FRMM in which foreground video signal VD_FR and male mask video signal VD_MMSK are alternately repeated every frame is recorded by edition picture recording VTR 13 is set in electron beam picture recording unit 17 to be played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording and is recorded on three frames of black and white film with respect to each of its frame, thereby forming a first composition operation film F₃0.

In practice, as shown in FIG. 6, black and white foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, AND F_FRB corresponding to red, green and blue components of foreground video signal VD_FR and three frames of female mask film F_FMSK3 formed by reversing male mask video signal VD_MMSK are successively recorded on first composition operation film F₃0 every six films.

In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, first composition operation film F₃0 obtained in this manner is processed for color composition every three frames, black and white foreground films F_FRR, F_FRG, AND F_FRB are thereby combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters to form a foreground film F_FR20 having a positive image on a blue back, and subsequent three frames of female mask film FFMSK3 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through the red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a male mask film F_MMSK2.

A second composition operation film F₃1 is thereby formed on which foreground film F_FR10 and male mask film F_MMSK are alternately recorded every frame.

With respect to fore ground film F_FR20 of the second composition operation film F₃1, the optical printer is operated in a one-frame skip mode to effect composition exposure of a reversal color film, thereby forming a foreground film F_FR21 having a positive image on a blue back.

Similarly, with respect to male mask film F_MMSK2 of the second composition operation film F₃1, the optical printer is operated in a one-frame skip mode to effect exposure of a black and white film, thereby forming a female mask film F_LSMMSK reversed from male mask film F_MMSK2.

Further, this female mask film F_FMSMMSK is printed on a black and white film by contact printing, thereby forming a male mask film F_MMSK3 black-and-white reversed from female mask film F_FMSK4.

Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F_BK and male mask film F_MMSK3 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an optical projector and are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I_L30.

Thereafter, foreground film F_FR21 and female mask film F_FMSK21 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on the optical projector and are imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I_L30 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I_L31 is thereby formed over the latent image I_L30 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK, thereby making a combined motion picture film F_WA30 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

According to the above-described method, no unnatural portion is formed at the boundary at the time of superposition of motion picture films and a film composition operation can be performed to combine background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR on a film without forming any soft mask. It is thus possible to realize a simpler motion picture composition method having such effects.

(4) Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 7 in which components corresponding to those shown in FIG. 3 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 50. This video signal processing apparatus is arranged for application to superposition of motion picture films F_BK and F_FR consisting of background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR such that occurrence of an unnatural portion at the boundary in the motion picture composition method in accordance with the second embodiment can be prevented.

In this case, a video tape T_FR on which a foreground video signal VD_FR is recorded is played back by a reproducing VTR 31, and a reproduction signal is input to a video signal processing circuit 51.

Video signal processing circuit 51 includes a chromakey and combines foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK formed by the chromakey with respect to each frame of foreground video signal VD_FR to generate a first composite video signal VD_MIX1.

A red component, a green component and a blue component of first composite video signal VD_MIX1 are respectively supplied to corresponding terminals of a first picture recording VTR 33A, i.e., a red input terminal R, a green input terminal G and a blue input terminal B to form a video tape T_MIX1 on which first composite video signal VD_MIX1 is recorded.

In the case of this embodiment, female mask video signal VD_FMSK is supplied from video signal processing circuit 51 to a second picture recording VTR 33B to form a video tape T_MIX20 on which female video signal VD_FMSK for three frames is recorded.

Video tapes T_MIX1 and T_MIX2 thus obtained are respectively played back by reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B. First and second composite video signals VD_MIX1 and VD_MIX20 thereby obtained are respectively supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of a switch circuit 35 and input to an edition picture recording VTR 36 through an output terminal c of the switch circuit 35.

Frame pulses P_FRM2 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 36 to a VTR control circuit 37. The VTR control circuit 37 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B VTR control signals CNT_V10 and CNT_V11 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every three frames.

The VTR control circuit 37 also sends to the switch circuit 35 a switch changeover signal CNT_SW1O for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 34A or 34B every three frames during reproduction. The edition picture recording VTR, 36 thereby executes so-called AB roll editing of video signals VD_MIX1 and VD_MIX20 output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B every three frames.

A video tape T_MIX21 is thereby made on which are recorded red, green and blue components of a composite video signal VD_MIX21 formed by combining foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK alternately every three frames, and female mask video signal VD_FMSK.

This video tape T_MIX21 is played back at a low speed by an electron beam picture recording unit 38, and a composite video signal VD_MIX21 thereby obtained is recorded on a black and white film by electron beam recording, thereby forming a composition operation film F₄0.

In practice, as shown in FIG. 8, black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, AND F_MFRB corresponding to the red, green and blue components of first composite video signal VD_MIX21 formed by combining foreground video signal VD_FR and female mask video signal VD_FMSK made by the chromakey, three frames of female mask film F_FMSK5 are successively recorded on composition operation film F₄0 every six films.

In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and white foreground films F_MFRR, F_MFRG, F_MFRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F₄0 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F_MFR1 having a positive image in a male mask.

Similarly, female mask film F_FMSK5 of composition operation film F₄0 is printed on a black and white film to form a male mask film F_MMSK4.

Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F_BK and male mask film F_MMSK4 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I_L40.

Thereafter, foreground film F_MFR1 is set on the main projector and is imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I_L40 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I_L41 is thereby formed over the latent image I_L40 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F_FR and foreground film F_BK, thereby making a combined motion picture film F_WA40 in which foreground picture PIC_FR is superposed on background picture PIC_BK.

According to the above-described method, no unnatural portion is formed at the boundary at the time of superposition of motion picture films and a film composition operation can be performed to combine background picture PIC_BK and foreground picture PIC_FR on a film without forming any, soft mask. It is thus possible to realize a simpler motion picture composition method having such effects.

(5) Fifth Embodiment

(5-1) In the above-described embodiments, an optical printer and an areal printer having a bi-pack are employed as optical apparatuses for double printing or double exposure of mask films, picture motion films and the like. However, these apparatus are not exclusive in accordance with the present invention. Any other type of optical apparatuses can be used so long as double printing or double exposure can be performed as described above.

(5-2) In the above-described embodiments, an electron beam picture recording unit is used at the time of recording of a video signal on a motion picture film. However, this is not exclusive and any other recording unit such as a laser picture recording unit may be used to achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

(5-3) In the above-described embodiments, a motion picture film on which foreground picture PIC_FR is imaged is video-signal-processed. According to the present invention, the arrangement may alternatively be such that a motion picture film on which background picture PIC_BK is imaged is video-signal-processed to make a mask film and an intermediate film, and a motion picture film on which foreground picture PIC_FR is imaged and another motion picture film on which background picture PIC_BK is imaged are thereby combined on a film, thereby achieving the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

(5-4) In the above-described embodiments, a motion picture film on which foreground and background pictures are imaged is composed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be suitably applied to various cases of combining a motion picture film on which a first picture is imaged and anther motion picture on which a second picture is imaged.

Explanation of Symbols

1A, 1B . . . telecinematographic units; 2 . . . video signal composition unit; 5, 5A, 5B, 17, 38 . . . electron beam picture recording units; 10, 30, 40, 50 . . . video signal processing units; 11A, 11B, 31, 34A, 35B . . . reproducing VTRs; 13, 36 . . . Edition picture recording VTRs; 33A, 33B . . . picture recording VTRs; 15 . . . low speed reproduction VTR; 32, 51 . . . video signal processing circuit.

Claims

1. A motion picture film composition method for combining first pictures imaged on a first motion picture film with respective ones of second pictures imaged on a second motion picture film, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) converting said first pictures from said first motion picture film into a first video signal;

(b) forming a mask signal corresponding with said first video signal;

(c) alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal telecinematographically to form respective picture frames on a third motion picture film from said first video signal and from said mask signal, respectively;

(d) exposing a plurality of first latent images on a fourth motion picture film, said plurality of first latent images being obtained from said second motion picture film, as such, and from images in the picture frames of said third motion picture film which are formed from said mask signal corresponding with said first video signal;

(e) exposing a plurality of second latent images on said fourth motion picture film, said plurality of second latent images being obtained from images in the picture frames of said third motion picture film which are formed from said first video signal; and

(f) developing said fourth motion picture film.

2. The motion picture film composition method of claim 1, wherein said step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal comprises producing red, green and blue foreground video signals from said first video signal, and recording said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, wherein the step of forming a mask signal comprises forming a male mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal, and wherein the step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal further comprises inverting said male mask video signal to produce a female mask video signal, outline softening said male mask video signal to produce an edge-softened male mask video signal, and recording said male mask video signal, said female mask video signal, and said edge-softened male mask video signal in successive frames on said black and white film to form a female mask frame, a male mask frame and a soft female mask frame.

3. The motion picture film composition method of claim 1, wherein said step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal comprises producing red, green and blue foreground video signals from red, green and blue components of a foreground image of said first video signal, respectively, and recording said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, wherein the step of forming a mask signal comprises forming a female mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal by a chroma key process, and wherein the step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal further comprises low-contrast processing and line-softening said female mask video signal to produce a low-contrast and line-softened female mask video signal, forming a black level video signal, and recording said female mask video signal, said low-contrast and line-softened female mask video signal and said black level video signal in successive frames on said black and white film to form a female mask frame, a low-contrast and line-softened female mask frame and a black frame.

4. The motion picture film composition method of claim 1, wherein said step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal comprises producing red, green and blue foreground video signals from said first video signal, and recording said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, wherein the step of forming a mask signal comprises forming a male mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal, and wherein said step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal further comprises inverting said male mask video signal to form a female mask video signal, recording said female mask video signal in three successive frames on said black and white film to form three successive female mask frames thereon, exposing each of the red, green and blue-black and white foreground frames through respective red, green and blue filters on a first single frame of an inverse color film, and exposing each of the three successive female mask frames through respective red, green and blue filters on a second single frame of said inverse color film.

5. The motion picture film composition method of claim 4, wherein said steps of exposing the red, green and blue-black and white foreground frames and each of the three successive female mask frames on said inverse color film comprise exposing plural groups of said red, green and blue-black and white foreground frames and successive female mask frames to form alternating first and second single frames on said inverse color film.

6. The motion picture film composition method of claim 1, wherein said step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal comprises producing red, green and blue foreground video signals from red, green and blue components of a foreground image of said first video signal, respectively, and recording said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, wherein the step of forming said mask signal comprises forming a female mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal by a chroma key process, and wherein the step of alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal further comprises recording said female mask video signal in at least one frame of said black and white film to form a female mask frame.

7. The motion picture film composition method of claim 1, wherein the steps of exposing a plurality of second latent images on said fourth motion picture film comprises obtaining said second latent images from images in said picture frames formed from said first video signal and said mask signal on said third motion picture film.

8. A motion picture film composition apparatus for combining first pictures imaged on a first motion picture film with respective ones of second pictures imaged on a second motion picture film, said motion picture film composition apparatus comprising:

converting means for converting the first pictures from the first motion picture film into a first video signal;

mask signal forming means for forming a mask signal corresponding with said first video signal;

motion picture film production means for alternately processing said first video signal and said mask signal telecinematographically to form respective picture frames on a third motion picture film from said first video signal and from said mask signal, respectively;

first means for exposing a plurality of first latent images on a fourth motion picture film, said plurality of first latent images being obtained from said second motion picture film, as such, and from images in the picture frames of said third motion picture film which are formed from said mask signal corresponding with said first video signal;

second means for exposing a plurality of second latent images on said fourth motion picture film, said plurality of second latent images being obtained from images in the picture frames of said third motion picture film which are formed from said first video signal; and

means for developing said fourth motion picture film.

9. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 8, wherein said motion picture film production means is operative to produce red, green and blue foreground video signals from said first video signal, and to record said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, said mask signal forming means is operative to form a male mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal, and said motion picture film production means is further operative to invert said male mask video signal to produce a female mask video signal, to outline soften said male mask video signal to produce an edge-softened male mask video signal, and to record said male mask video signal, said female mask video signal, and said edge-softened male mask video signal in successive frames on said black and white film to form a female mask frame, a male mask frame and a soft female mask frame.

10. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 8, wherein said motion picture film production means is operative to produce red, green and blue foreground video signals from red, green and blue components of a foreground image of said first video signal, respectively, and to record said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, said mask signal forming means is operative to form a female mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal by a chroma key process, and said motion picture film production means is further operative to low-contrast process and line-soften said female mask video signal to produce a low-contrast and line-softened female mask video signal, to form a black level video signal, and to record said female mask video signal, said low-contrast and line-softened female mask video signal and said black level video signal in successive frames on said black and white film to form a female mask frame, a low-contrast and line-softened female mask frame and a black frame.

11. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 8, wherein said motion picture film production means is operative to produce red, green and blue foreground video signals from said first video signal, and to record said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and a blue-black and white foreground frame, said mask signal forming means is operative to form a male mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal, and said motion picture film production means is further operative to invert said male mask video signal to form a female mask video signal, to record said female mask video signal in three successive frames on said black and white film to form three successive female mask frames thereon, to expose each of the red, green and blue-black and white foreground frames through respective red, green and blue filters on a first single frame of an inverse color film, and to expose each of the three successive female mask frames through respective red, green and blue filters on a second single frame of said inverse color film.

12. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 11, wherein said motion picture film production means is operative to expose plural groups of said red, green and blue-black and white foreground frames and said successive female mask frames in alternate first and second single frames of said inverse color film.

13. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 8, wherein said motion picture film production means is operative to produce red, green and blue foreground video signals from red, green and blue components of a foreground image of said first video signal, respectively, and to record said red, green and blue foreground video signals in successive frames on a black and white film to form a red-black and white foreground frame, a green-black and white foreground frame and blue-black and white foreground frame, the mask signal forming means is operative to form a female mask video signal corresponding with said first video signal by a chroma key process, and said motion picture film production means is operative to record said female mask video signal in at least one frame of said black and white film to form a female mask frame.

14. The motion picture film composition apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second means is operative to expose said plurality of second latent images on said fourth motion picture film such that said plurality of second latent images are obtained from images in said picture frames formed from said first video signal and said mask signal on said third motion picture film.